Structure



May 14, 1935.

F. H. RUPPEL sTRUTURE frolla/ven F. H. RUPPEI.

May B4, 1935.

STRUCTURE Filed Deo. 1o, 1932 v l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /o Plv) [/v VEN TOR: frederic/4* H /Q 3f Afro/Nan May 14, 1935. F, H. UPPEL 2,001,215

STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 10, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A .rToA/VEK F. H. RUPPEL May 14, 1935.

STRUCTURE Fiied Deo. 10, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M A ,0 x?? xxl l0 V e O/ uw 5 w .fmm

[/v V/vrok.- Frede rick H. Kuppel,

A TTOQNEK Patented May 14, i935 STRUCTURE Frederick H. Rappel, Pasadena, Calif. Application December 10, 1932, Serial No. 646,579

10 Claims.

My invention relates to a frame structure suitable for buildings, the invention being especially suitable for smaller types of buildings, such as one and two story residences and light commercial structures.

Since my invention is especially suited for residence construction, and since the principles of the invention remain unchanged in their use in various types of structures, the following disclosure will be limited to the embodiment of the application of the invention in a residence structure.

In residence and light commercial construction, steel is usually supplementary to the other materials used, and in many instances the use of steel structural members is entirely avoided. For

example, the main walls of light structures of this character may be constructed from brick, tile building blocks, or wood, with the'inner dividing walls formed either of tile or wood and plaster, with wood 4nish applied thereto. In such structures steel may be at times-employed as lintels or girders, but this use of structural `steel members does not add to the strength or permanence of the main structure but is merely forthe purpose of carrying a load in some part of the structure. Steel, however, has not been extensively employed in small buildings in the same manner as it has been employed in ,large structures, such as ofice buildings, auditoriums, etc. In such large structures the structural steel members are joined together to form a. complete frame structure, reinforced and braced so as to carry the entire Weight of the structure. Masonry tile and facing and finishing materials are attached to or supported by the fabricated steel frame structure. Contrary lto this, small structures, as a general rule, do not-have the structural steel members used therein tied into the frame of the building in the manner in which structural steel is employed in largebuildings. I am aware, however, that some development work has been done on light steel frame structures for smaller types of buildings, using steel pipe as the structural members or employing other light steel shapes. But itis found that the means and method of steel commotion for small building which have been developed have not found extensive use, especially in residence construction where wood seems to be adopted owing to the relative ease with which it may be cut to desired length and these lengths secured together by nails or spikes.

construction owing tothe permanence of steel,

itsl greater resistance t0 destruction by earthquakes or by fire, low cost of maintenance, and freedom from termite, rot, and fungus attack. Those who have had occasion to dismantle wood structures of an age of ten years or more are strongly impressed by the lack of permanence and the very vpronounced diminution in the physi. cal strength of such structures due to the unsatisfaetory means whereby they' are secured together, namely, nails and spikes,jwhich rust-for corrode in the presence of moisture and organic chemicals in the wood. j i

It is an object of my invention to provide a steel frame structure fabricated from tubular sections such as pipes by use of fittings of novel forni which may be applied Without the necessity of severing the pipe members to which they are attached, thereby preserving greater strength in the structure than where the various pipe members are assembled by screwing them together with -known types of threaded pipe fittings. My invention makes possible the economical employment of what is known as a balloon type structure in which the vertical pipes, `such as posts or studs, extend continuously from the foundation to the roof or attic without being cut at intermediate points for the vinsertion of fittings for the attachment of laterals or reinforcing members.

It is an object ofv my invention to provide a structural member comprising a metal tube having lateral external grooves on intermediate portions thereof whereby lttings for connecting members may be attached without necessity of` severing the structural member.

A further object of the invention is to provide fittings for securing` together tubular structural members without the necessity of -severlng the tubular structural members at intermediate points, such fittings having projecting keys or ribs for engaging grooves or ribs formed on the tubular structural members, so that `movement of the ttings on the tubular structural members, i

take place and so that in the connection of the fittings to the tubular members the full strength of the ttings and of the tubular members is developed. It is known that saddle clamps are employed for securing to pipes other pipes or members, but these saddle clamps are not suitable for structural work ofthe class to which the present invention relates, since` such saddle clamps depend upon frictional engagement with the pipes to retain them immovable, and even where large bolts are employed to bolt up the saddle clamps so as to withstand a given load, rust or loosening of the bolts will destroy the frictional engagement and permit the saddle clamps to move under the load which they are intended to transmit to the pipe.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fitting of the above character comprising cooperating hinged parts adapted to be bolted or pinned around a pipe member, the innerfaces of such cooperating clamps having laterally or circumferentially extending rib or groove means there infor interlocking engagement with similar rib or groove means formed upon the pipe to which the fitting is secured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a building frame comprised of hollow posts and laterals constructed of pipe secured together by ttings of such character that there is no communication between the interiors of the posts;

and laterals, and vice versa, thereby enabling selected pipes, such as the posts, to be used as conduits for electric wiring or for fluids. By use of the invention, conduits, water-pipes, and drain-pipes become a physical part' of the structure instead of being hung therein as in common practice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be-made evident throughout the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which Aare for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing my invention embodied in a balloon type frame structure for a building.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on a plane represented by the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig.- 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken as indicated bythe line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a form of my new structural fitting with the parts thereof swung into open position.

Fig. 5 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a I form of my fitting adapted to secure lateral members on d iametrally opposite sides of a beam,

' stud, or post member.

represented by Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the fitting adapted to connect to a post or columnlateral members'which extend at right angles to each other and at right angles to the post.

Fig. '1 shows a form of my new structural fitting adapted for the attachment of reinforcing cables.

Fig. 8 isa vertically sectioned view showing the manner in which floor and wall members may be secured to a frame structure of the character shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross section on a plane the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary elevational view showing how my invention lends itself to the forming of trusses or diagonal bracing.

the adjustable attachment means shown in Fig. 10.

In`the form of my invention shownin Fig. l,

a frame structure I2 for a residence building fabricated from pipes such as I3, I4, and I5. An especial feature of the construction shown is that the posts I3 and the studs I4 may be each carried in one continuous length from a foundation lI6 preferably of concrete to the horizontal pipes, such as the members ,I1 and I6, all being secured in place by use of fittings which are attached to the pipes I3 and I4 without the necessity of cutting such members I3 and I4 in order to provide threaded ends to be 'screwed into the ttings at the ends of the members I1 and I8. Asanexample ofmy new construction, the front post I3 is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 supporting a right angle fitting 2li of the character shown in Figs. 4 and 6 in a position intermediate the ends of the member I3 and for supporting horizontal pipes 22 and 23 serving as girts for supporting plates 24, which may be of wood, vand the second story floor joists 25, the ends of which rest upon the plates 24. As will be especially noted in Fig. 3, the intermediate portion 26 of the corner post I3 has lateral grooves 21 formed in the external face thereof. In the preferred practice of the invention the grooves 21 extend entirely around the pipe I3 and may be either circular or helical. As best shown in Figs.- 2 and 4, the ntting. 20 is comprised of cooperating semi-cylindrical wall members 30 and 3| having ribs 32 on' the inner hinge lugs 33 and 34 through which a pin 35 isv extended to furnish .hinge means 36 for swingably securing the members 30 and 3| together. Being hinged together in the manner shown, the parts 30 and 3I may be swung into relatively open position as shown in Fig. 4 and may be closed around the grooved pbrtion 26 of a structural member such as the pipe I3 and there clamped in operative position by use of lugs 31 projecting from the sides of the members 30 and 3l opposite to the hinge 36 and having openings 38 therein through which a bolt 39 may be extended. In Fig. 6 I show the fitting 20 with two hinge structures 36 each of which may havel removable tapered hinge pins 36', the placement of which will cause the parts 30 and 3| to be drawn tightly together around the grooved portion of the pipe I3. This form of the invention is especially suitable for heavy service owing to the great strength of the hinge means 36.

For securing the ends of the-horizontal pipe members 22 and 23 to the fitting 20, I provide socket members 4I which, as best shown in Fig. 6, preferably consist of channel-shaped or substantially senil-cylindrical walls 42 extending outwardly from one of the walls of the fitting 20,

such as the member 30 thereof. The fitting 20 facing upwardly so that theends of the horizontal pipe members 22 and 23 may be rested thereon prior to the securing of the ends by passing Abolts 43 through openings 44 in the side walls of the socket members 4I and through openi'ngs in the ends of th"e pipes 22 and 23, which openings are preferably spot-drilled from the openings 44.while the ends of the pipes 22 and 23 rest in the sockets 4 I. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the sockets 4I may be provided with ribs 4I', and the ends of the pipes, such as the pipe 22,"may be provided with grooves 22' to engage the ribs 4I' capital members I6, the intermediate lateral to supplement the bolts d3 in bonding the pipe ends to the fittings.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the fitting 20 issecured to the pipe I3 without severing the pipe I3. As shown in Fig. 1, ttings 20a, of the same character as the tting 20, and other ttings 20h are secured upon the post I3 between the foundation plate 35 and the extreme upper end of the member I3. Since these fittings are all of the split character previously disclosed and are mounted uponthe grooved por-f tion of the pipe I3, such pipe is permitted to extend continuously from the foundation I 6 to the roof plane of the structure without interruption and without internal connection with the pipes connected thereto by the fittings.

'In this simple method of construction the entire corner post of the buildingframe is placed in a single piece, instead of in small sections threaded intothe various fittings disposed throughout its length, and the fittings 20, 20a, and 2Gb disposed along the length of the pipe I3 may be secured in place and have the interconnecting lateral pipes secured thereto in much less time than the fabrication of the same structure by use of pipes which thread into pip'e ttings of standard type. In this method of construction, the formation of grooves with intervening ribs on an intermediate portion of the pipe I3 provides a. plurality of horizontal shoulders adapted to be engaged by horizontal shoulders formed on the inner faces 30 and 3| of the fitting 20, and through which shoulders the load carried by the tting 20 is positively transmitted to the pipe or column I3, all of which is accomplished without the necessity of cutting through `the pipe or severing the pipe to insert a threaded fitting.

vThe second iioor 46 shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is carried on the floor joists 25, some of which iloor joists 25 transmit their load to the pipe 22 of Figs. 1y and 3 and similar pipes 22a shown only in Fig. 1. Accordingly, a portion'of the load of the floor 46 must be carried by the tting 20, and it is therefore imperative that a positive bond be formed between the fitting 20 and the pipe I3 so that there will be no possibility of the f1tting moving downwardly on the pipe I3 in response to the application of theoor load thereto. This desired result I have very satisfactorily accomplished in the provision of a .main structural member, such as the post I3, having externally grooved portions -intermediate the ends thereof, "andseparable fittings adapted to be clamped against or around such grooved portions, these ttings having ribs for cooperative interengagement with the grooves. It is preferable that each grooved section of the pipe be a little longer than the ribbed portion ofthe iitting to be applied thereto so that such fitting may be adjusted longitudinally upon the grooved portion.

Previously herein I have described a form of fitting 23 adapted for a particular utility in a frame structure. Such tting may be varied in design to meet the various requirements of a frame structure without abandoning the valuable features thereof. For example, the bearing plate 35, shown in Fig. l and further shown in Fig. 8, is made in two cooperating semi-cylindrical segments di gether around a-grooved portion 68 of a stud, such as the pipe I3 of Fig. 8.

The load can'ied by the vertical pipe member postor of Fig. 1 or the pipe 5G ing flat walls adapted to be clamped to-' is accordingly positively transmitted to the bearing plate 35 and isV thereby transmitted to the foundation member I or Ia. As further shown in Fig. 8,v it is preferable to extend the lower end 5I of a vertical post or 'stud down into the body of concrete 52 .constituting the foundation member, thereby rmly tying the posts to the foundation so that the stability and bonding of the foundation with the ground resist overturning movement of the vertical pipe members `'embedded therein.

'I'he fitting 53 shown in Fig. 5 comprises cooperating parts 54 adapted to be clamped around a grooved portion 55 'of a stud It or to the pipe member 56, and having diametrally extending connection sockets 51 formed thereon, such fitting 53 being adapted, as shown in Fig. 1, to secure to an intermediate portion ofa stud I4 or other member in the Astructure lateral pipes I8 which extend at right angles to the member I Il. Where a lateral pipe`56, as shown in Fig. 1, is to be secured-between verticalpipes 58 and 59 for the purpose of reinforcement or for outlining a window opening, a fitting 60 may be employed which is identical with the fitting 53 with the ex-` ception that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, it employs only one laterally projecting connection socket 5l. l

From the foregoing, it will be perceived that the fittings may be provided with sockets extending either perpendicularly or in anyl other desired direction. For example, in Fig. 3 a fitting 62 is shown on a` grooved portion 63 of the pipe I3 above the fitting 20,.this fitting 62 having a diagonally extending socket 64 for securing to 35 the member I3 the lower end 65 of a diagonal pipe 66 serving as a` reinforcing strut.. Fittings ,62 for diagonal` connection of pipe members are preferably made with the pipe receiving sockets 34 thereof disposed at angles of thirty, forty-five, and sixty degrees, thereby making it possible with three types of diagonal ttings to accommodate the various conditions which may be encountered in the erection of a structure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a steel frame structure reinforced by diagonal cablesand in Fig. 7 I show a fitting lli preferably comprising hinged parts 'il having interior ribs for engaging the grooved portions 'I2 of a pipe i3 and having Vprojecting webs 7d equipped with openings l5.' To theseopenings 75 diagonally disposed reinforcing cables areQ attached, in the manner of the cable i3 of Fig. 7. In this manner a simple and economical diagonal reinforcing means for a building structure may be provided. Cables are subject to elongation due to stretching after they have been placed, but turnbuckles may be employed therein for varying the tension in the cables.

As an adaptation of another form of my tting, Figs. 1, `2, and 3 show split fittings 33 havor pads 8i formed thereon, across which pads the wooden plates 2li for supporting the ends of the iioor joists 254 may be extended. The pad 8i may be provided with threaded open- 65 ings 82 to receive screws or bolts for attaching the plate 2d thereto, the ends of the joists 25 being thereafter secured to the plate 2@ by use of nails or bolted angle clips in accordance with construction practicesf Where floors, balconies, or other elements of a building are unsupported by intermediate posts or columns, my invention readily adapts itself to the economical formation of girders or trusses. For example, in Fig. 1 a concrete door 33 is shovm- 75 4 with its peripheral portions supported en diagonally reinforced lateral pipe members l5 carried by the vertical postsand studs of the structure I2. 'I'he intermediate portions of the concrete floor 84 may be carried by a truss 85 readily fabricated from pipe members. The upper and lower horizontal pipes 81 and 88 of thetruss 85 may be unbroken throughout their entire length, and the diagonal pipes 89 of the truss 86 may be secured thereto by use of surrounding fittings. of the general character previously described. Over IIII llntels |02 of truss form may large doorways be employed in thegeneral form shown in Fig.

1" 1 using structural fittings of the character previously described herein.

My new form of fitting may also include screwthreaded socket members for..receiving the ends of pipes, and for the purpose of illustration I have in Fig. 10 shown fittings -I|0 of this character secured to a vertical pipe I I and to a laterings ||8 therein through which bolts |20 may be and chords of the truss is not essential.

horizontal' or lateral member ||2 and the lower chord member |30 of the truss may extend conextended for the purpose of securing socket members I2I, of the character illustrated in Fig. 11, to the main body of the fitting I|0. Such socket members |2| vmay be cut from heavy-walled pipe or tubing so as to form a cylindrical portion |22 having a pair of spaced legs |23 adapted to extend on opposite sidesof the web ||1, and having openings |24 through which a bolt |20 may be passed. As shown in Fig. 10, these socket members are internally threaded so las to be screwed upon` the ends of interconnecting pipe members, such as struts |25. It is also a feature of the invention to provide the socket members |2| with right-hand and left-hand threads so that the ends of a strut may be provided with right-hand threads |26 and left-hand threads |21 to enable the adjustment of the strut relative to the sockets |2| by rotating the pipe |25. Accordingly, if this form of fitting is employed in a truss or .for diagonal reinforcing purposes, the effective length thereof may be increased or decreased by i rotating the strut or reinforcing member so as to bring the interconnecting parts of the structure into desired relation in order that the cooperating parts of the structure will each sustain the proper portion of the load carried by the structure.

A truss of the character shown in Fig. l0 may be readily designed and assembled at the structure. The' grooved portions IIB and |28 of the pipes employed may be readily formed by use of either a hand-operated or power-operated external grooving tool. The socket members 12|, being pivotally connected to the webs III, may be disposed at any desired angle; therefore, accurate computation of The end of the truss to the other. |30 is shown connected to a of screw-threads III which -hand and left-hand at optinuously from one The pipe member may be made righ posite ends of thepipe so pipe |30 after assemblyV of the parts of the truss. A feature of my invention is toflll selected horizontal or vertical pipe members, auch as the furring strips |42 in place.

the length of the struts that the effective length derstood that my of the chord may be acUusted by rotation of the pipe n of Fig. c or the pest l: er Fig. 3, winniv core which may consist of concrete grout |35 so as to develop from pipe members structural beams'and columns of great strength and stiffness, thereby minimizing deflection. i

A further feature of my invention is that it provides for considerable flexibility of design. In the ordinary types of steel construction for light buildings, the manufacturing equipment, such as stamps and dies, etc., are made for certain fixed designs. To. vary from these standard designs is relatively expensive, but in my new construction the structural parts are of such character that they may be assembled to correspond to any desired design, and changes in design of a structure do not require changes in the manufacturing equipment, for the reason that the interconnecting ttings are of standard form and the pipe members may be grooved at desired points to receive the pipe fittings in accordance with the requirements of the design. lFurthermore, many of the structural parts may be cut tolength and grooved where desired on the job, and in fact all of the pipe members-for a frame structure may be prepared on location from plans. 4Further-'- more, my simple construction enables the changing of the frame structure to suit changes in design which may be made after the frame .structure is fully or partly completed.L

A steel frame structure of the character/shown in Fig. 1 may be employed to support any desired finish, such as wood, stucco, tile, or brick, such flnish being secured to the steel structural members -by use of vcommonly accepted methods. For example, in Fig. 8 I show a stud 50 of a building frame to which an outer stucco wall surfacing |40 and an inner plaster nish `|4| are applied. For vsecuring the walls |40 and I4 I, furring strips |42 may be secured to the pipe members of the structure in any desired manner. In Fig. 9 the pipe 50 is shown with openings |43 therein to receive attachment members |44 for securing the As nshown at |44a in Fig. 9, the attachment means |44 comprises a metal strip |45 bent to form a pair of legs |46 to pass through the furring strip and a hole |43, and a projecting central portion I'. After the attachment means -is placed inthe manner shown at |44a'3 the central portion |41 thereof may be driven in by hammer blows as shown at |441), causing the inner ends |48 of thelegs |46 to expand within the pipe 50 so as to prevent removal of the attachment meansy from the opening |43. To the furring strips |42 a selected lath means |50 may be secured, and upon this a layer of stucco |5| or' plaster |52 may be placed.

Fig. 8 also illustrates the manner in which metal reinforcing |53 may be connected to a horizontal pipemember |55 secured by ttings in the manner hereinbefore described. a body of concrete |56 being cast around the reinforcing |53 and the pipe |55 to form a fioor |51 'and an edge wall |50 resting on the concrete foundation member |6a.

Although I have hereinV shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is `recognized that certain parts ,or elements thereof tially the same results: therefore,

invention is not to be limited it is to be uli-- to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the followingclaims. I claim as my invention: -1. A structural frame of the character described,

an intermediate`portion of said pipe without necessity of dividing said pipe, comprising a split body having means for clamping it around said pipe, there being a plurality` of substantially circumferential grooves disposed in parallel planes in the surface of said pipe engaged by complemental ribs on the inner face of said body.

2. A structural member for a structural frame of the character described, comprising a bar adapted to have its ends secured in a structure, an intermediate portion of said bar having a plurality of evenly spaced, circumferential grooves disposed in parallel planes in the external face thereof for engagement by a iitting having complemental ribs to cooperate with said grooves.

3. A structural frame oi the character described, including: a pair of main pipes; a secondary pipe extending between intermediate portions of said main pipes; and ttings for securing said secondary pipe to said intermediate portions of said main pipes, said fittings each having a body and means for clamping said body against the intermediate portions of the main pipes, said body having projecting circumferential rib means disposed in'parallel planes on the inner face thereof, and said intermediate portions of said main pipes having complemental groove means for engagement by said rib means of said body. y e. A structural frame oi the character described, including: a pair of main pipes; a secondary pipe extending between intermediate portions of said main pipes; and fittings for securing said secondary pipe to said intermediate portions of said main pipes, one of said iittings having a body and means for clamping said body against the intermediate portions of the main pipes, said intermediate portions of said main pipes having circumferential grooves therein disposed in parallel planes and said :dtting having complemented ribs on the inner face thereof to engagev said grooves in said intermediate portions of said main pipes.

5. A itting for structural frame members adapted to be secured to an intermediate por tion of a bar-like structural member, including: a body having a wall with a depression therein, adapted to engage said member, there being a plurality of laterally directed, substantially parallel projecting ribs on said wall for engagement with complemental grooves provided by said member; and means for clamping said wall against said member; I

6. A tting for structural frame members adapted for attachment to a bar-like member in a structure, including: a pair of semi-cylindrical walls adapted to fit around said member, said walls being hinged together so as to be swung between open and closed positions, the inner faces of said walls having laterally extending ribs for engagement with circumferential grooves disposed in parallel planes provided by said member; and means for clamping said walls together in closed position on said member.

7. A structural frame of the character de.

scribed, including: a main structural Vmember consisting of a pipe; a secondary structural member; and a tting for securing the said secondary member to an intermediate portion of said pipe without necessity of dividing said pipe, comprising a body Vand means passing around said pipe to hold said body thereagainst, there being a plurality of parallel circumferentially extending grooves disposed in the surface or" said intermediate portion of. said pipe and a plurality of complemental ribs on said body engaging said grooves of said pipe.

8. A structural member for a structural frame of the character described, comprising a bar adapted to have its ends secured inthe structure, an intermediate portion ci said bar having parallel circumferentially extending grooves disposed pipe in said intermediate portion of said pipe to form groove means therebetween and a plurality of laterally extending complemental ribs `on said body engaging said groove means of said pipe.

l0. A structural frame of the character described, comprising: a main structural member l consisting-of a pipe, the main portion of said pipe having a smooth external surface, and said pipe having a grooved section consisting of a plurality of laterally directed, evenly spaced grooves separated by ribs; a secondary structural member;` and a tting for securing said secondary structural member to said grooved section of said pipe, .said iitting comprising a body having a curved internal Wall equipped with ribs and grooves for interengagement with said ribs and grooves of said pipe, and means extending around said pipe and clamping said body against said grooved section. v

FREDERICK H. RUPPEI. 

